Photo by Brad Walsh
Wylie's special teams blocked a punt
to set up the first touchdown of the game.

Shiela K. Haynes
Contributing Writer

The Pirates unleashed an unbridled attack from every direction and laid a shocking 50-21 shellacking on Plano West 50-21 Friday night at Clark Stadium.
It was a tremendous show of heart and determination on the part of the Pirates, who entered the game winless in the district.
Clearly, the Wolves were unprepared for Wylie’s intense and defined effort.

Head coach Bill Howard said, “We made plays and they didn’t. We played very physical football and it frustrated them.”

Wylie took advantage of the Oct. 23 bye to get healthy and prepare for the Wolves.
For the first time since district play began, the Pirates had all of their starting offensive linemen and backups available, as well as a healthy starting nose guard.

The Pirates host Allen in the season finale. Seniors will be recognized prior to the 7:30 p.m. kickoff.
Allen clinched a share of the district crown with a 51-28 win Friday over Plano East.

Wylie has beaten a Plano team every year since entering Class 5A, but they have never beaten Allen despite playing them close every year. The Eagles were pleased to escape with a 31-28 win in 2008.

“If we play Pirate football and get out there, it’s going to be a battle,” said Howard. “Allen will rock you to sleep, they’ll get five-six-seven-eight yards a play, and then hit you for a big play. They are very explosive at every position.”

The Pirates put a slightly different offensive look on the field against the Wolves.
Quarterback Noah Cheshier took about 60 percent of the snaps, while backup Nico Ramirez took another 20 percent with Cheshier lined up at tight end or on the wing. The remaining plays featured direct snaps to tailbacks Nick Knott and Bennie Jones, who combined for 215 yards rushing.

Defensively, Howard said it was the best game the Pirates have played. Nose guard Colton Whitehead, who is coming off knee surgery, was back full tilt.
Toby Ball led the attack with 13 tackles, three for loss and one pass breakup. Zak Monier recorded 10 tackles plus a sack. Other defensive standouts were Tyler Mathers with eight tackles and Armando Cervera with seven tackles and an interception return for a touchdown.

The kicking game was another bright spot.

“Zac Ohannessian put the ball in really good spots on kickoffs. They had almost no return yards,” said Howard.

Much-hyped defensive end Jackson Jeffcoat was a factor early.

He alternated from one side to the other throughout the game, but Howard said, “As the game went on, both our offensive tackles started doing a better job of controlling him. Ethan Lington and Jamal Jones are very physical, tenacious kids. There’s no quit in either one of them. They both fought for four quarters.”

Special teams were successful in almost every facet. Howard praised Sean Watts, Matt Sandgren and Jacob Benator for their effort.
The Pirates took the initial score on a West mishap. After a stout Wylie defense forced the Wolves into a three-and-out on the game’s opening possession, tackle Devan Drake blocked the punt, which was scooped up and returned to the Wolves 2-yard line by Watts.

Cheshier punched it in two plays later.
The Wolves answered with a 37-yard touchdown pass from Michael Pruneau to Derrick Haygood, and then took their only lead of the game on an 8-yard run by Kameron Haddock midway through the second quarter.

Knott took the ensuing kickoff at the goal line, broke to the right through traffic and into the clear for a 99-yard return to even the score at 14-14.
Wylie retook the lead when Cheshier connected with Aaron Morris on the slant for 75 yards.
The Wolves drew even at 21-21 with a 43-yard run by Jarrett Horan.

Wylie wasted no time regaining the lead, scoring on the second play of the second half’s opening possession, a 62-yard run by Knott.
On Wylie’s next possession, Cheshier hit Colby Harper for the first of two touchdown strikes, this one from five yards out. The Pirates lined up for an extra-point attempt, but instead of getting the ball down, Harper (who is the regular holder on extra points) dropped a pass over the goal line and into the hands of Drake for the successful 2-point conversion and 36-21 lead.

The Pirates were hardly done. Near the end of the third quarter, West began a drive at its 13-yard line.
Following a short gain on first down, Pruneau’s pass was tipped into the hands of defensive back Armando Cervera, who returned it 27 yards for the touchdown.

To add more insult, the Wolves muffed the ensuing kickoff, and the ball was recovered by Knott at the West 20.
Four plays later, Cheshier hit Harper with a 7-yard dart to settle the final score 50-21.
After the game, Knott said, “This win showed our character, it showed who we were and how we never give up. It’s the definition of AHMO.”